Subj : Daily APOD Report
To   : All
From : Alan Ianson
Date : Tue Mar 19 2024 11:29:12

                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                                2024 March 19
     The sun sets in the distance at the horizon end of a long road over
     open country. The sunset is very orange, as is the surrounding sky.
       Telephone poles line the right side of the road. Please see the
                 explanation for more detailed information.

                        A Picturesque Equinox Sunset
          Image Credit & Copyright: Alan Dyer, Amazingsky.com, TWAN

   Explanation: What's that at the end of the road? The Sun. Many towns
   have roads that run east-west, and on two days each year, the Sun rises
   and sets right down the middle. Today, in some parts of the world
   (tomorrow in others), is one of those days: an equinox. Not only is
   this a day of equal night ("aequus"-"nox") and day time, but also a day
   when the sun rises precisely to the east and sets due west. Displayed
   here is a picturesque rural road in Alberta, Canada that runs
   approximately east-west. The featured image was taken during the
   September Equinox of 2021, but the geometry remains the same every
   year. In many cultures, this March equinox is taken to be the first day
   of a season, typically spring in Earth's northern hemisphere, and
   autumn in the south. Does your favorite street run east-west? Tonight,
   at sunset, you can find out with a quick glance.

                    Tomorrow's picture: the eyes of march
     __________________________________________________________________

       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Amber Straughn Specific rights apply.
                  NASA Web Privacy, Accessibility, Notices;
                      A service of: ASD at NASA / GSFC,
                           NASA Science Activation
                             & Michigan Tech. U.

--- BBBS/Li6 v4.10 Toy-6
 * Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (1:153/757)

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